Office Hours:

University UMC Young Adults are on Facebook! Join the group's page to see events and information.

Have News to Share?

Please email Elizabeth with your announcement. Please limit to 300 words. Announcements must arrive before 5pm on Monday to be included in that week's email/ Headlines page/ bulletin. Announcements will be edited before publication. Make sure you include a description of your event and contact info for more information.

UUM Preschool: Schnucks Cards

Just a reminder that you can have the cashier swipe your card every time you shop at Schnucks and the preschool gets up to 3% of your total spent. If you need a card there are some by the coffee in Fellowship Hall or at the courtesy counter at your store. Register it on line for UUM PreschoolID #500004887.

The preschool receives a deposit every month. Thank you so much for your help!

Responding to the Florida Shooting

How have UMC churches responded to the school shooting in Florida on Ash Wednesday? The UMC officially supports legislation that curbs gun violence, in keeping with our history of advocating non-violence. Read more here about our official stance and the reactions/ actions of local Florida churches.

Lenten Series: Embodied+ 40 days, 40 days

This Lent, we're exploring what it means to be "embodied." How do we live fully as emotional, spiritual beings in our God-created bodies? How do we integrate our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls? What does Christ's divine embodiment mean for us? How do we care for our bodies and for the bodies of others?

Come explore embodiment in two ways: in worship and through a daily devotional + meditative coloring poster. Devotionals and posters will be available in the Fellowship Hall during Lent. Both provide a great meditative exercise that can be done individually or in small groups/ families.

Looking for more ways to honor Lent this season? As part of our mission for A Healthier St. Louis, we've put together a list of 40 days/ 40 ways for simple, meaningful activities you can do to support your own health and the health of our entire community. Look for the insert in your bulletin this week or click the link above for ideas.

Welcome to Lent

James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you.” May we experience the nearness of God this Lent. Early Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church that before the Easter celebration there should be a forty-day season of spiritual preparation. We are invited, therefore, to observe a holy Lent: by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s Holy Word.

Lenten Fasting

One spiritual discipline everyone who is physically able should try is fasting. As a church, we will observe a fast from solid foods (be sure to drink plenty of liquids!) on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those who are not able to fast (because they struggle with diabetes, eating disorders or other physical restrictions) are encouraged to spend the day in prayer.

Thimble Club (no sewing involved), 2/21

The Thimble Club will meet on February 21 at 11:30 for lunch ($10), socializing, and a short program at The Brookdale: 1 New Ballas Place, 63146. Everyone is welcome! For more information, contact Pam Schmidt 314-727-2539.

Walk to Jerusalem

Update: In Week 6, we walked 1,503,531 steps, which translates to 752 miles. This brings our total to 12,335,149 steps... 6,168 miles! We're almost there!

Did you make a New Year's Resolution to get more exercise? Keep track of your activity and join us in a church-wide "Walk to Jerusalem." We're making a virtual pilgrimage from St. Louis to Jerusalem as part of our mission to create A Healthier St. Louis: 6,440 miles!

Activity isn't limited to walking. You can use handy conversion charts like this one to translate your housework, errand running, aerobics, or other activities into steps. Keep track of your weekly progress and email your steps to Elizabeth or record them in the welcome sheet in your bulletin. Read more on the Be You Blog.

Pray with us! Visit the secure online prayer list and keep our church family in your prayers. Note: a password is required. The password can be found in your bulletin insert on Sunday mornings, or you may contact the office at 314.863.8055 to obtain it if you are a UUMC member.

For the Sake of All Presentation, 3/16

This Meet the Leaders Presentation is co-sponsored by the Gephardt Institute for Public Service, The Woman’s Club of Washington University, and The Office of the Provost.

March 16, 2018

9 to 10:30 a.m.

Room 276 in the DUC

We will hear from Dr. Jason Q. Purnell, Washington University Associate Professor of Public Health and Head Researcher on the “For the Sake of All” report.

He will update us on our community’s implementation plan for improving the health and well-being of African Americans in St. Louis and why it matters for everyone. No cost. RSVP via email or call (314) 935-7085.

St. Louis Renewed Spring Cohort

St. Louis Renewed (STLR) is an innovative and intensive anti-racism program that addresses key obstacles to personal, institutional, and cultural change. STLR invites you to join their community of change agents. Spaces are filling up for our upcoming Spring Cohort in April and May. Combining decades of research in the behavioral sciences with cultural and historical analysis, systems thinking, and critical race theory, the program focuses on building the capacity of individuals and groups to work effectively for racial equity.

NAMI Ending the Silence: Presenters Needed (18-30)

Be a part of Ending the SilenceIf you are ages 18-30 and have a story to tell about living with mental illness, NAMI St. Louis needs you.By telling your story, you can lower the stigma surrounding mental illness and educate other young people about the warning signs and ways to gethelp.

Ending the Silence presenters will present a 50 minute program on mental illness to middle and high school students. Presenters will be paid a stipend that covers their time and mileage to schools.

Ending the Silence is an interactive presentation that helps teens learn the warning signs of mental health conditions as well as steps they should taketo find support for themselves or their friends.

For more information contact:Sharon LyonsDirector of Volunteers(314) 962-4670 ext. 304

www.namistl.org

Volunteers Needed for Election Day

The Board of Elections is currently searching for civically-minded and engaged individuals to staff the polls on Election Day. All workers are required to be registered to vote in the state of Missouri, speak and write in English, and attend a training class prior. All workers will be compensated for training if they work. If you would like more information, please call 314-615-1865, or apply online now.

NAMI Family-to-Family Classes

NAMI Family-to-Family is an educational course for family, caregivers and friends of individuals living with mental illness.

Family-to-Family provides

Up-to-date information about a range of mental illnesses, including co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders

Lower-Cost Home Health Care Opportunity

The “Homemaker” program of Jewish Family & Children’s Service is now accepting applications. If you or another older adult you know are in need of some assistance at home with light housekeeping, meal preparation, shopping and errands, transportation, etc., the “Homemaker” program offers that type of assistance using a sliding-fee scale that can substantially lower the hourly rate, based on income. Clients selected by this program can receive up to 15 hours per week of reduced cost-service from a reputable home health care company, depending upon assessed needs. Any senior adult in the St. Louis area is eligible to apply. For more information, call 314-812- 9300.

Food Pantry Update

Special Donation Request: The pantry could use a child's wagon for clients to haul their bags of groceries to their cars. If you have one you're not using, please bring it to UUMC!

We had 11 clients on 2/07 and gave out 22 bags of food/ toiletries and bus passes. This week we’re asking for the following:

cooking oil

basic spices like black pepper

tuna

canned chicken

laundry detergent

baby wipes

canned pasta

cereal

dry milk

canned fruit

Jimmy Pace's Paintings/ NAMI Walk

Read a post by Jimmy on the Be You Blog about his annual walk for NAMI.

Warm greetings Church!

Above and below are two paintings that will be shown at the Commerce Bank in the Delmar Loop starting Thursday, February 1, for the month of February. Please greet the Commerce Bank employees including the security guard Mr. Ed Barron, a fine gentleman. I am leaving business cards at the exhibit. The paintings are for sale.

Also, here is my webpage for NAMIWalks in Chesterfield's Central Park on May 5 at 9 a.m. Thank you for your support.

2018 Youth Mission Trip: 3/1 Sign-Up Deadline

Plans are underway for the 25th youth mission trip to Appalachia. Time for another memorable experience.

The trip is scheduled for July 7-14 to eastern Kentucky where we will join other Appalachia Service Project volunteers to work for warmer, drier, safer homes. The trip is open to youth who have finished 8th grade and young adults. Adult leadership is also needed. To assure our reservation individuals must make a deposit and register by March 1st.

Spring Awakening, 3/3

Spring Awakening is an annual event organized by the Reconciling (LGBTQ+) Ministry of the United Methodist Church in the Missouri Conference. This year the event is being hosted by UUMC!

The list of discussion panelists includes our own Morgan Hunlen, as well as an intersex person, transgender persons, the parent of a transgender child, and the director of Washington University's Pediatric Transgender Health department.

The event opens at 2:30 p.m., and the one-hour discussion starts at 3 p.m., followed by a reception before the 5 p.m. worship service. Our preacher is Jarell Wilson from Chicago. All are welcome!

March Book Club, 3/6

UMCOR Sunday: 3/11

Formerly known as the One Great Hour of Sharing, UMCOR Sunday will take place on 3/11 this year. UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, assists people in the U.S. and abroad who are victims of natural and man-made disasters. You can make your offering in worship or even use your phone to donate. Just text 'umcorsunday' to 91999 and give from your cellphone.

LIFE at Eden in March: Jazz & Justice, Faith & Witness

LIFE at Eden Theological Seminary is a series that provides an immersive weekend experience exploring faith topics that connect theology with everyday life. March's event is called Jazz & Justice, Faith & Witness. Check out their website for program information.

MO Conference Values Team Journey for Justice 4/13-14: Registration Now Open

Join the Values Team on a trip to Memphis, April 13-14. The tour group will meet in St. Louis and board the bus to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. During their time together, they will fellowship, worship, eat some Memphis BBQ and tour the museum. This all-ages trip provides the opportunity for 50 individuals to discuss civil rights and reflect on our common call to justice through a multi-generational lens.

Trip Itinerary

April 137 a.m. Depart St. Louis1 p.m. Arrive in Memphis, spend the afternoon touring the city5 p.m. Fellowship, worship and dinner at First UMC7 p.m. Head to hotel

April 1410 a.m. Guided tour of the National Civil Rights Museum3 p.m. Depart Memphis8:30 p.m. Arrive in St. Louis

Scholarships are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please contact Tina Harris or Madi Denton for more information.

Discipleship Path Posters

Wondering about the posters in Fellowship Hall? Each of the featured persons has participated in a new initiative called "Discipleship Path." This initiative gives you the opportunity to explore your spiritual gifts and learn more about how to grow in your faith and in this community. Interested? Read Tom Mitchell's blog post here and contact him or Phyllis Hershey for more information.

Remembering the Paines

UUMC recently received a check for our endowment from the estate of Dr. Bob and Jane Paine. The Paines were a remarkable couple who impacted St. Louis and especially UUMC. Read Brad Hershey's remembrance on the Be You Blog.

Microcredit Club Update

Read the December 2017 report on the Be You Blog. Thank you for supporting the U-City Microcredit Club in 2017!